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Indian-origin techie joins Elon Musk’s xAI

Aman Gottumukkala, an Indian-origin software engineer based in Texas, has joined Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company xAI. He will work on AI tools that can help developers write software faster and smarter.

Gottumukkala shared the news on X (formerly Twitter), saying he will help build “the best coding AI.” He also mentioned that he has spent the past few years running a small startup with just three people, creating popular tools for Android developers that made millions in revenue.

Elon Musk welcomed him to the xAI team, highlighting the importance of this new addition.

Before joining xAI, Gottumukkala co-founded Firebender, an AI tool that helps programmers write and organize code. Despite being built by only three people, Firebender became popular among developers and earned significant revenue.

The startup was also supported by Y Combinator, a well-known program that helps new technology companies grow.

At xAI, Gottumukkala will focus on creating AI systems that make coding easier and faster. By working with Musk’s team and resources, he hopes to solve tough problems in AI and improve software development for people around the world.

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Ex-Uber CEO launches robotics startup Atoms

Travis Kalanick, the former chief executive of Uber, has launched a new robotics venture called Atoms, signalling his renewed focus on technology and automation. The startup will develop robots designed to perform specific physical tasks across industries such as mining, logistics and food services.

The announcement marks Kalanick’s latest entrepreneurial move since stepping down from Uber in 2017. Through Atoms, he aims to build advanced robotic systems that can handle labour-intensive work, improve efficiency and support industries where automation is increasingly needed.

Atoms has evolved from Kalanick’s earlier venture, City Storage Systems, which he founded after leaving Uber. The company has now been repositioned as a robotics platform, bringing together several projects under a single technology-focused brand. Kalanick’s ghost-kitchen business, CloudKitchens, is also part of the broader ecosystem linked to the new venture.

Unlike companies developing humanoid robots, Atoms will focus on task-specific machines built to carry out particular functions. The approach is intended to speed up real-world adoption, as robots designed for specific jobs can be deployed more easily in industrial settings.

The company plans to operate through multiple divisions, including Atoms Food, Atoms Mining and Atoms Transport. Each unit will focus on building robotic tools tailored to the needs of different industries. For example, robots could assist in food preparation and packaging, help manage operations in hazardous mining environments, or automate parts of the logistics and transportation process.

Kalanick believes advances in artificial intelligence and robotics are creating opportunities to automate more physical work across industries. According to him, specialised robots could significantly improve productivity while reducing the risks associated with dangerous or repetitive tasks.

The robotics project has reportedly been in development for several years before being publicly revealed. During this period, teams worked on building the technology and testing its potential applications in different sectors.

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Tim Cook’s message on Apple’s 50th anniversary

As Apple approaches its 50th anniversary, CEO Tim Cook has shared a message of gratitude, reflecting on the company’s remarkable journey and the people who helped shape it.

In a letter marking the milestone, Cook thanked Apple employees, developers and customers around the world for their role in building the company over the past five decades. The message comes as Apple prepares to celebrate its 50th year on April 1, 2026.

Cook noted that Apple began as a small venture started in a garage by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak in 1976. What started as an effort to make personal computers more accessible eventually grew into one of the world’s most influential technology companies.

Reflecting on the company’s early vision, Cook said Apple was founded on the belief that technology should be simple, personal and empowering. That philosophy, he said, continues to guide the company as it designs products and services for millions of users worldwide.

Over the years, Apple has introduced several products that changed the way people interact with technology. From the early Macintosh computers to devices such as the iPod, iPhone and iPad, the company has played a key role in shaping modern digital life. More recently, products like the Apple Watch and AirPods have expanded its ecosystem further.

Cook also pointed out that Apple’s influence now extends beyond hardware. Services such as the App Store, Apple Music and Apple Pay have become an important part of the company’s business and user experience.

Despite the technological breakthroughs, Cook emphasised that Apple’s success is ultimately driven by people. He said the company’s products are meaningful because of how they are used in everyday life, whether it is helping people stay connected, learn new skills or pursue creative ideas.

In his message, Cook expressed appreciation for Apple’s global teams and the developer community that continues to build apps and services on the company’s platforms. He also thanked customers for their trust and support over the years.

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Microsoft executive VP Rajesh Jha to retire in July

Microsoft has announced that senior executive Rajesh Jha will retire in July 2026, ending a long career of more than three decades at the technology company. His departure will also lead to several leadership changes within the organisation.

Jha currently serves as Executive Vice President of Microsoft’s Experiences and Devices division. The unit manages some of the company’s most widely used products, including the Windows operating system, Microsoft 365 applications such as Word, Excel and Teams, and the Surface range of devices.

According to the company, Jha will step down from his role on July 1. After retiring, he is expected to stay on for a short period in an advisory role to help ensure a smooth leadership transition.

Jha joined Microsoft over 30 years ago and worked his way up through different roles in engineering and product development. During his time at the company, he played an important role in building and expanding several key products. He helped lead the development of enterprise tools such as Exchange and SharePoint and later worked on transforming the Office software suite into the cloud-based Microsoft 365 platform used by millions of people worldwide.

In recent years, Jha also helped drive the integration of artificial intelligence features into Microsoft’s productivity products, which has become a major focus for the company.

Following his retirement announcement, Microsoft said it will reorganise parts of its leadership structure. Instead of appointing a direct replacement for Jha, some senior executives will report directly to CEO Satya Nadella.

These include leaders responsible for Windows, Surface devices, LinkedIn, Microsoft 365 and other key products. The company has also promoted several executives to new roles as part of the restructuring.

Nadella praised Jha’s contributions, saying he played a major role in shaping Microsoft’s products and helping the company grow over the years.

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Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen to step down

Adobe has announced that its chief executive officer, Shantanu Narayen, will step down from the position after leading the global software company for nearly two decades.

The company said Narayen will remain in the role until a new CEO is appointed. After the transition, he will continue as chairman of Adobe’s board and assist the incoming leader during the change in leadership.

Adobe’s board has started the process of finding a successor and has formed a special committee to oversee the search. The company said it will consider both internal and external candidates for the position.

Narayen has been serving as Adobe’s CEO since 2007 and is credited with playing a key role in transforming the company into one of the world’s leading software firms. During his tenure, Adobe moved away from selling traditional packaged software and shifted to a cloud-based subscription model for its popular products.

Under his leadership, services such as Creative Cloud and Document Cloud became central to Adobe’s business. These platforms include widely used tools like Photoshop, Illustrator and Acrobat.

The company also expanded into digital marketing and invested heavily in new technologies, including artificial intelligence, which are now being integrated into many of its products.

In a message to employees, Narayen said he would work closely with the board and leadership team to ensure a smooth transition. He added that the company is well positioned for its next phase of growth.

Following the announcement, several leaders in the technology industry praised Narayen’s contribution to the sector. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella described his leadership as remarkable and highlighted the impact he had on Adobe’s growth and innovation.

Narayen joined Adobe in 1998 and later became the company’s president and chief operating officer before taking over as CEO.

During his leadership, Adobe grew significantly in market value and strengthened its position as a global leader in creative and digital document software.

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Dr. Rasha Kelej among top 100 impactful voices 2026

Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of the Merck Foundation, has been named one of the “100 Most Impactful Voices 2026” by ABCD Africa, highlighting African women leaders who are making a tangible difference in their communities. The announcement, timed ahead of International Women’s Day 2026, celebrates women across all 54 African nations who are driving social change, including heads of state and influential community leaders.

This accolade adds to Dr. Kelej’s long list of recognitions. She was listed among the “100 Most Influential Africans 2025” by New African Magazine and has been acknowledged for seven consecutive years among the “100 Most Influential African Women” by Avance Media. These honours reflect her dedication to expanding healthcare access, promoting girls’ education, and empowering women throughout Africa.

In a statement, Dr. Kelej expressed her gratitude for the recognition and highlighted the foundation’s work over the past 14 years. She spoke of her commitment to strengthening healthcare services, transforming patient care, combating infertility stigma, and supporting education for underprivileged girls. She also congratulated fellow honourees and emphasised the power of collective efforts in creating positive change.

Under her leadership, the Merck Foundation has trained thousands of healthcare providers through scholarships in 44 critical medical fields across 52 countries. In collaboration with African first ladies, the foundation provides annual scholarships to over 1,200 high-achieving but underprivileged girls from 19 countries, helping them complete their education and build careers.

Dr. Kelej is also the founder of the “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” campaign, a programme supporting infertile and childless women through education, counselling, and healthcare services. Beyond this, she has led initiatives to address child marriage, female genital mutilation, and health awareness on conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer through media campaigns, storybooks, and community outreach.

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Elon Musk tops Forbes Billionaires list

The 2026 Forbes World’s Billionaires list shows a record number of wealthy people around the world. There are now 3,428 billionaires, the most in the list’s 40-year history. Together, they are worth $20.1 trillion, up from $16.1 trillion last year.

Elon Musk is at the top, becoming the richest person ever with an estimated net worth of $839 billion. His wealth has grown by about $500 billion in one year, thanks to the rising value of Tesla and SpaceX. Musk is the first person to reach more than $800 billion and could become the world’s first trillionaire if this continues.

The next richest are tech leaders Larry Page ($257 billion) and Sergey Brin ($237 billion), co-founders of Google. Jeff Bezos ($224 billion) and Mark Zuckerberg ($222 billion) follow them.

This year’s list also includes 390 newcomers, like musician and entrepreneur Dr. Dre, singer Beyoncé, tennis star Roger Federer, and Kimbal Musk, Elon Musk’s brother. Many of them joined the list because they now own large shares in successful companies.

The United States has the most billionaires with 989 people, followed by China (539) and India (229). Celebrity billionaires are also increasing. There are now 22 athletes and entertainers worth over $48 billion in total, up from 18 last year.

Forbes’ ranking is based on the value of stocks, companies, and other assets as of March 1, 2026. The list shows that most of the world’s wealth is still concentrated in technology and media, with new gains coming from AI and other fast-growing industries.

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Pieter Elbers resigns as IndiGo CEO

IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers has resigned from his position with immediate effect, the airline confirmed. The leadership change comes a few months after the carrier faced a major operational crisis that led to widespread flight disruptions.

The airline said its board has accepted Elbers’ resignation. Following his exit, Managing Director and co-founder Rahul Bhatia will temporarily oversee operations until a new chief executive is appointed.

Elbers reportedly stepped down citing personal reasons and requested that the company waive his notice period. In his message, he thanked the airline’s employees and said it had been a privilege to lead the company during his tenure.

His resignation comes around three months after the airline faced one of the biggest operational challenges in its history. In December 2025, thousands of flights were cancelled or delayed after changes in pilot duty and rest regulations disrupted scheduling across the airline’s network. The situation left many passengers stranded and drew criticism from travellers and regulators.

Despite the crisis, IndiGo remains India’s largest airline, with the biggest share of the domestic aviation market and an extensive network of flights across India and international destinations.

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IMF Chief warns Iran conflict surging inflation

The head of the International Monetary Fund has warned that rising tensions in West Asia could push up global inflation if the conflict leads to a sustained increase in oil prices.

Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, said the ongoing crisis in the region is already creating uncertainty in energy markets and could have wider economic consequences. Speaking at an international symposium hosted by Japan’s finance ministry in Tokyo, she urged policymakers to prepare for unexpected developments.

Georgieva cautioned governments and central banks to “think of the unthinkable” as geopolitical tensions remain unpredictable. She said policymakers should remain vigilant and be ready to respond quickly if the situation worsens.

According to the IMF chief, a sharp rise in oil prices could translate into higher inflation globally. She noted that if oil prices increase by about 10 per cent and remain elevated for a prolonged period, it could add roughly 0.4 percentage points to global inflation.

Energy markets have been particularly sensitive to developments in West Asia because the region plays a crucial role in global oil supply. Any disruption to production or shipping routes could quickly affect energy prices worldwide.

One key concern for markets is the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world’s oil shipments pass. Any disruption along this route could lead to further volatility in global energy markets.

Georgieva said the global economy has shown resilience in recent years despite multiple shocks, including the pandemic and geopolitical conflicts. However, she warned that prolonged instability in West Asia could once again challenge economic recovery and complicate efforts to control inflation.

She added that governments and financial institutions should continue monitoring the situation closely and prepare policy responses if needed.

The IMF is currently assessing the possible economic impact of the conflict on different countries. Georgieva said the organisation will provide a clearer analysis in its upcoming global economic assessments, which will examine how the crisis could influence growth, inflation and financial stability in the months ahead.

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RBI clears Anup Kumar Saha for Kotak Board

The Reserve Bank of India has approved the appointment of Anup Kumar Saha as a Whole-time Director at Kotak Mahindra Bank, strengthening the bank’s senior leadership team.

The bank announced that the central bank granted its approval earlier this month, allowing Saha to officially take up the role on the bank’s board. His appointment is part of Kotak Mahindra Bank’s efforts to further strengthen its management team as it continues to expand its retail and digital banking businesses.

Saha brings more than three decades of experience in the financial services sector. Before joining Kotak Mahindra Bank, he worked with Bajaj Finance, where he held several senior positions. He also briefly served as the company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.

Earlier in his career, Saha spent several years at ICICI Bank, gaining extensive experience in consumer lending, retail banking and financial services. His experience across both banks and non-banking finance companies is expected to help Kotak strengthen its consumer-focused businesses.

At Kotak Mahindra Bank, Saha will oversee key areas including consumer banking, marketing and data analytics. These divisions are central to the bank’s strategy as it focuses on expanding its customer base and improving digital banking services.

Industry experts say leadership changes like this are becoming increasingly important in India’s banking sector as competition grows and financial institutions invest more in technology and data-driven services.

Saha had earlier joined Kotak Mahindra Bank’s senior management team as a Whole-time Director (designate), subject to regulatory approval. With the RBI now giving its formal clearance, the appointment process has been completed.

Kotak Mahindra Bank believes Saha’s experience in building large-scale financial businesses and driving innovation will help the bank strengthen its retail banking operations and improve customer engagement.

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